[Herpetology • 2025] Scincella chengduensis • Hidden Urban Biodiversity: A New Species of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Southwest China

 

Scincella chengduensis Jia, Ren, Jiang, & Li, 

in Jia, Gao, Wu, Wang, G. Liu, M. Liu, K. Jiang, D.-C. Jiang, Ren et Li, 2025.  

Chengdu ground skink | 成都滑蜥  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani15020232 

Abstract

The genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950, belonging to the family Scincidae, exhibits considerable morphological convergence, complicating species delimitation and resulting in underestimated diversity. Currently, 41 species are formally recognized in this genus, although this figure likely underestimates its true richness. In this study, a new species of the genus Scincella, Scincella chengduensis sp. nov., is described from urban and suburban areas of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Southwest China. Morphological features and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the new species is distinct from all previously recognized congeners. The new species can be clearly distinguished by a combination of the following unique characters: (1) slender, medium-sized body, snout-vent length 28.4–43.2 mm; (2) infralabials seven, rarely six; (3) supraciliaries six or seven; (4) tympanum deeply recessed without lobules, tympanum diameters equal to or exceeding palpebral disc diameters; (5) midbody scale-row counts 23; (6) dorsal scales smooth, slightly enlarged, paravertebral scale-row counts 57–60, ventral scale-row counts 42–44, gulars 21–22; (7) upper edge of lateral longitudinal stripes relatively straight, four rows of dorsal scales in middle; (8) enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath finger IV 8–9, enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath toe IV 10–12; (9) ventral surface densely covered with dark spots; (10) grayish-brown, irregular dorsal stripes 2–3, black dorsolateral stripes from posterior corner of eye to lateral side of tail. This discovery underscores the underestimated diversity of Scincella in China and highlights the importance of urban habitats as reservoirs of hidden biodiversity. A diagnostic key to the Scincella species of China is also provided.

Keywords: phylogeny; morphology; Scincella chengduensis sp. nov.; taxonomy; herpetological diversity

 Paratype of Scincella chengduensis sp. nov. (CIB 118786) in life.

Photo by Jin-Long Ren.

 Holotype of Scincella chengduensis sp. nov. (CIB 118787) in preservative. (A): Dorsal view of body; (B): Ventral view of body; (C): Dorsal view of head; (D): Ventral view of head; (E): Left view of head; (F): Right view of head; (G): Ventral feature of body; (H): Lateral view of body; (I): Ventral view of hand; (J): Ventral view of foot.

Scale bar: 5 mm. Photos by Zong-Yuan Gao.

Scincella chengduensis sp. nov. Jia, Ren, Jiang, & Li

Diagnosis. Scincella chengduensis sp. nov. can be clearly distinguished by a combination of the following unique characters: (1) slender, medium-sized body, snout-vent length 28.4–43.2 mm; (2) infralabials seven, rarely six; (3) supraciliaries six or seven; (4) tympanum deeply recessed without lobules, tympanum diameters equal to or exceeding palpebral disc diameters; (5) midbody scale-row counts 23; (6) dorsal scales smooth, slightly enlarged, paravertebral scale-row counts 57–60, ventral scale-row counts 42–44, gulars 21–22; (7) upper edge of lateral longitudinal stripes relatively straight, four rows of dorsal scales in middle; (8) enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath finger IV 8–9, enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath toe IV 10–12; (9) ventral surface densely covered with dark spots; (10) grayish-brown, irregular dorsal stripes 2–3, black dorsolateral stripes from posterior corner of eye to lateral side of tail.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the type locality Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province and an important urban center in western China known for its high biodiversity. Reflecting its geographic distribution in Chengdu, the proposed common name is “Chengdu ground skink” in English and “Chéng Dū Huá Xī (成都滑蜥)” in Chinese.

Ru-Wan Jia, Zong-Yuan Gao, Di-Hao Wu,Guan-Qi Wang, Gang Liu, Min Liu, Ke Jiang, De-Chun Jiang, Jin-Long Ren and Jia-Tang Li. 2025. Hidden Urban Biodiversity: A New Species of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Southwest China. Animals. 15(2), 232. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani15020232 

 

Simple Summary: Urban biodiversity is often underestimated, yet new discoveries continue to reveal previously unrecognized species within these environments. This study describes a new species of the genus Scincella, Scincella chengduensis sp. nov., from the urban and suburban landscapes of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Integrating detailed morphological comparisons and genetic analyses, this species was determined to be distinct from all known skinks in the region. This discovery underscores the role of Chengdu as a biodiversity reservoir, even amidst rapid urbanization. Furthermore, this study highlights the resilience of species in fragmented and human-altered habitats, emphasizing the importance of urban environments for biodiversity research. The discovery of Scincella chengduensis sp. nov. expands the known diversity of skinks and stresses the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts in urban areas. These findings provide valuable insights for managing urban biodiversity and guiding conservation strategies in cities undergoing rapid development.

  

[PaleoOrnithology • 2025] DNA and Spores from Coprolites reveal that Colourful Truffle-like Fungi endemic to New Zealand were consumed by extinct Moa Megalapteryx didinus (Dinornithiformes)

 

upland moa Megalapteryx didinus (Owen, 1883)

(c) Gallacea scleroderma*, 

(d) Gallacea sp. ‘Nelson Lakes’*, 

(e) Rossbeevera pachydermis*, 

(f) Russula macrocystidiata*,

in Boast, Wood, Cooper, Bolstridge, Perry et Wilmshurst, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0440  

 

Abstract

Mycovores (animals that consume fungi) are important for fungal spore dispersal, including ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi symbiotic with forest-forming trees. As such, fungi and their symbionts may be impacted by mycovore extinction. New Zealand (NZ) has a diversity of unusual, colourful, endemic sequestrate (truffle-like) fungi, most of which are ECM. As NZ lacks native land mammals (except bats), and sequestrate fungi are typically drab and mammal-dispersed, NZ’s sequestrate fungi are hypothesized to be adapted for bird dispersal. However, there is little direct evidence for this hypothesis, as 41% of NZ’s native land bird species became extinct since initial human settlement in the thirteenth century. Here, we report ancient DNA and spores from the inside of two coprolites of NZ’s extinct, endemic upland moa (Megalapteryx didinus) that reveal consumption and likely dispersal of ECM fungi, including at least one colourful sequestrate species. Contemporary data from NZ show that birds rarely consume fungi and that the introduced mammals preferentially consume exotic fungi. NZ’s endemic sequestrate fungi could therefore be dispersal limited compared with fungi that co-evolved with mammalian dispersers. NZ’s fungal communities may thus be undergoing a gradual species turnover following avian mycovore extinction and the establishment of mammalian mycovores, potentially affecting forest resilience and facilitating invasion by exotic tree taxa.

Keywords: evolutionary anachronism, moa, New Zealand, extinction, ancient DNA, mycophagy

(a) Upland moa skeleton, (b) HC coprolite X17/11/33,
and (c–h) examples of fungi identified from aDNA (* denotes taxa with congruent spore evidence):
(c) Gallacea scleroderma*, (d) Gallacea sp. ‘Nelson Lakes’*, 
(e) Rossbeevera pachydermis*, (f) Russula macrocystidiata*,
(g) Cortinarius sp. ‘Blyth Track’, (h) Cortinarius violaceovolvatus.

Photo credits: (a) Wikimedia Commons, (b) Alexander P. Boast, (c–h) Noah Siegel.

Alexander P. Boast, Jamie R. Wood, Jerry Cooper, Nic Bolstridge, George L. W. Perry and Janet M. Wilmshurst. 2025. DNA and Spores from Coprolites reveal that Colourful Truffle-like Fungi endemic to New Zealand were consumed by extinct Moa (Dinornithiformes). Biol. Lett. 2120; 240440. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0440  

[Ichthyology • 2024] Leporinus lignator • New banded Leporinus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the Madeira River basin, Brazil, and Redescription of L. bleheri, based on integrative taxonomy

Leporinus lignator

Boaretto, Ohara, Souza-Shibatta & Olivan Birindelli, 2024

 Neotrop. ichthyol. 22(4); 

www.scielo.br/j/ni/a/tRpkwnSVH3PndG7cmztzv8C 

Abstract

Leporinus bleheri was described for the Guaporé-Iténez basin, in the border between Bolivia and Brazil. More recently, specimens of a similar-looking banded Leporinus were sampled in distinct rivers in the Madeira basin. Herein, we use an integrative approach combining molecular and morphological data to investigate the taxonomic status of the new samples. Morphometric data were used to perform a Principal Components Analysis (PCA). Both species specimens were cleared and double-stained for osteological description. DNA barcodes were used to investigate the genetic distance between samples and for species delimitation analyses. Molecular markers COI, CytB, 16S, Myh6, RAG1, and RAG2 were applied to estimate the phylogenetic relationships of the two species. Our results show morphological and genetic differences between samples of L. bleheri and the new species. Both species are herein (re)described and illustrated. The new species is distinguished from L. bleheri by having 12 scale rows around the caudal peduncle (vs. 16). The genetic distance between the new species and L. bleheri was of 3.93%, and species delimitation analysis recovered the samples as separated molecular units. The multi-loci analysis corroborated the sister-group relationships between both species, including them within the Leporinus fasciatus group, which was recovered as non monophyletic.

Keywords: Anostomoidea; Amazon; Ostariophysi; Species delimitation analysis; Taxonomy

Leporinus lignator, MZUEL 21727, holotype, 152.96 mm SL
(A), MZUEL 21726, paratype, 117.01 mm SL (B), and holotype in life (C), type-locality
(D), Machado River, Madeira River basin, Brazil.

Leporinus lignator, new species

Diagnosis. Leporinus lignatoris distinguished from all other anostomids except L. affinis, L. altipinnis, L. bleheri, L. desmotes, L. enyae, L. fasciatus, L. jatuncochi, L. pearsoni, L. tigrinus, L. villasboasorum, and L. y-ophorus, by having dark vertical bars encircling the body in adults and nine branched pelvic-fin rays (vs. horizontal bars, dark blotches or dark transversal bars not encircling the body, and eight branched pelvic-fin rays). Leporinus lignator is distinguished from the formers except for L. bleheri and L. tigrinus by having three unicuspid teeth on the premaxillary and four on the dentary (vs. 3/3 or 4/4). Leporinus lignator is distinguished from L. bleheri and L. tigrinus by having 12 scales around the caudal peduncle (vs. 16).

Etymology. The specific epithet, lignator, is allusive to its type-locality, the Machado River, part of the Madeira River basin. In Portuguese, Machado means axe, and Madeira means wood. Lignator is Latin (m.) for a lumberjack who cuts trees into logs, often using axes. A noun in apposition.

Boaretto, Mariana; Pascoal Ohara, Willian; Massaharu Souza-Shibatta, Lenice; Olivan Birindelli, José Luís. 2024. New banded Leporinus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the Madeira River basin, Brazil, and Redescription of L. bleheri, based on integrative taxonomy. Neotrop. ichthyol. 22(4); https://www.scielo.br/j/ni/a/tRpkwnSVH3PndG7cmztzv8C/ 

[Arachnida • 2024] Tityus achilles • Biomechanics of Venom Delivery in South America’s First Toxungen-spraying Scorpion

 

Tityus (Tityus) achilles Laborieux, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae161 

  x.com/LeoLaborieux 

  Researchgate.net/publication/387130480

 

Abstract

Venom is a metabolically expensive secretion used sparingly in a variety of ecological contexts, most notably predation and defence. Accordingly, few animals employ their toxins from a distance, and venom-squirting behaviour is only known from select taxa. In scorpions, species belonging to two genera are known to spray venom when threatened, and previous work in Parabuthus transvaalicus shows that venom delivery depends on perceived levels of threat. Here, I describe Tityus (Tityus) achilles sp. nov., a new species of buthid scorpion from Cundinamarca, Colombia. Remarkably, this species is capable of venom spraying, a first for both the genus and the South American continent. Using frame-by-frame video analysis and ballistic equations, I show that T. (Tityus) achilles sp. nov. employs not one, but two types of airborne defences with dramatic differences in reach and venom expenditure. Further, the new species uses an unusually large reserve of prevenom-like secretion for spraying, as opposed to the costly venom used by other spraying scorpions. In light of these key specializations, I propose that toxungen spraying convergently evolved in response to different selection pressures, laying the groundwork for future investigation.

behaviour, Colombia, evolutionary biology, new species, taxonomy, toxin, toxungen, venom spitting

 Léo Laborieux. 2024. Biomechanics of Venom Delivery in South America’s First Toxungen-spraying Scorpion. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 202(4) zlae161. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae161  

  x.com/LeoLaborieux/status/1869037910496083987

  Researchgate.net/publication/387130480_Biomechanics_of_venom_delivery_in_South_America's_first_toxungen-spraying_scorpion

[Arachnida • 2025] Pseudocleobis elongatus, P. atacamensis, P. lalackama, P. puna, etc. • Unveiling High solifuge Diversity: Review of the Genus Pseudocleobis Pocock, 1900 (Solifugae: Ammotrechidae) in Chile with the description of nine new species

 

(A) Pseudocleobis lalackama n. sp. (B) P. elongatus n. sp. (D) P. atacamensis n. sp.

(A) P. escuadra n. sp., male. (B) P. cakalovici n. sp., male. (D) P. cakalovici n. sp., female.

in Iuri, Ojanguren-Affilastro, Maury, Alfaro, Camousseigt-Montolivo et Pizarro-Araya, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309776  

Abstract

The Pseudocleobis from Chile are revised. Pseudocleobis morsicans (Gervais, 1849) and P. chilensis Roewer, 1934 are considered species inquerenda. Pseudocleobis andinus (Pocock, 1899) is removed from the Chilean fauna, and its previous records are considered misidentifications. Pseudocleobis alticola Pocock, 1900 is recorded from Chile for the first time. Nine new species are described, Pseudocleobis elongatus n. sp., P. atacamensis n. sp., P. puna n. sp., P. krausi n. sp., P. choros n. sp., P. lalackama n. sp., P. mumai n. sp., P. cekalovici n. sp. and P. escuadra n. sp. The species can be distinguished by the male chelicera morphology. We discuss the relationship of Chilean Pseudocleobis with other species of the genus, based on morphology. This work increases the number of known Chilean solifuge species by almost 70%, revealing the high degree of diversification of this group in Chile.

Live male specimens of some Chilean Pseudocleobis species.
 (A) Pseudocleobis lalackama n. sp. (B) Pseudocleobis elongatus n. sp.
(C) Pseudocleobis krausi n. sp. (D) Pseudocleobis atacamensis n. sp.

Live specimens of some Chilean Pseudocleobis species.
(A) Pseudocleobis escuadra n. sp., male. (B-C) Pseudocleobis cakalovici n. sp., male. (D) P. cakalovici n. sp., female.

Habitat of some Pseudocleobis Pocock, 1900 in Chile.
 (A) Paposo, Antofagasta region (Coastal Desert enviroment). (B) Pan de Azúcar national park, Atacama region (Coastal Desert enviroment).
(C) Caleta El Cobre, Antofagasta region (Coastal Desert-Absolute Desert ecotone). (D) Nevados Tres Cruces national park, near Paso San Francisco, Atacama region (High Andean environment).
(E). Rivera Río Volcán, Metropolitan región (Central Andes environment). (F) Fundo La Escuadra, Maule region (Central Andes environment).

 Hernán Augusto Iuri, Andrés Alejandro Ojanguren-Affilastro, Emilio A. Maury, Fermín M. Alfaro, Bernardino Camousseigt-Montolivo and Jaime Pizarro-Araya. 2025. Unveiling High solifuge Diversity: Review of the Genus Pseudocleobis Pocock, 1900 (Ammotrechidae) in Chile with the description of nine new species. PLoS ONE. 20(1): e0309776. DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309776  

[PaleoBotany • 2025] Zosterophyllum baoyangense • The smallest Zosterophyllum plant from the Lower Devonian of South China and the divergent life-history strategies in zosterophyllopsids

 

Zosterophyllum baoyangense Huang & Xue, 

in Huang, J.-S. Wang, Y.-L. Wang, Liu, Zhao et Xue. 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.2337

Abstract

Plants have evolved different life-history strategies to overcome limited amounts of available resources; however, when and how divergent strategies of sexual reproduction evolved in early land plants are not well understood. As one of the notable and vital components of early terrestrial vegetation, the Zosterophyllopsida and its type genus Zosterophyllum reached maximum species diversity during the Pragian (Early Devonian; ca 410.8–407.6 million years ago). Here we describe a new species, Zosterophyllum baoyangense sp. nov., based on well-preserved specimens from the Pragian-aged Mangshan Group of Duyun, Guizhou Province, China. The new plant is characterized by its small size, K-shaped branching and tiny spikes with 5–10 sporangia. This plant is most likely r-selected, completing its whole lifespan in a short time, and such a strategy contributes to reproduction in a suitable window time. In contrast, most other species of Zosterophyllum and the zosterophyllopsids on a broader scale are larger in body size and have greater investments in fertile tissues, reflected in the size and total number of sporangia. We argue that the zosterophyllopsids probably benefited from the divergence of various life-history strategies and thus constituted a major part of the Early Devonian floras.

Keywords: early land plants, Zosterophyllum baoyangense sp. nov., Early Devonian, life-history strategies

  Zosterophyllum baoyangense sp. nov. (a,b) PB203562, part and counterpart, showing a fertile axis with K-shaped branching and a terminal spike. Arrows highlight branching points. The parts indicated by arrows c and d are enlarged in (c,d), respectively; (c) K-shaped branching; (d) branching point showing a nearby protuberance (arrow); (e,f) Enlarged view of the terminal spike in (a) and (b); (g) enlarged view of the basal part of the spike in (e). Arrow points to the margin of the basal sporangium. (h) Enlargement of the distal sporangia in (f) (arrow h), showing dehiscence line (white arrow) and peripheral rim along the convex distal margin (the area between two black arrows). Scale bars: (a,b), 10 mm; (c–f), 1 mm; (g,h), 0.5 mm.

 Systematic palaeontology

Class: Zosterophyllopsida Hao & Xue [2013]

Order: Zosterophyllales Hao & Xue [2013]

Family: Zosterophyllaceae Banks [1968]

Genus: Zosterophyllum Penhallow [1892]

Type species Z. myretonianum Penhallow [1892]

Zosterophyllum baoyangense Huang & Xue sp. nov.

Specific diagnoses. Rhizome with K-shaped branching. Erect axis with tiny spikes. Axes 0.5−1.3 mm wide. Spikes, 5.8−10.8 mm high and 2.0−2.8 mm in maximum width, consisting of 5–10 sporangia that are spirally arranged. Sporangia oval to semicircular, 1.6−2.0 mm high and 0.9−1.4 mm wide, departing from axis at an acute angle by a short stalk. Thin peripheral rim ca 80 μm wide, extending along the convex distal margin and lacking thickened dehiscence mechanism.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from Baoyang Village, where the fossils were collected.

Holotype designated herein. PB203562 

 Artist’s restoration of part of the Early Devonian Mangshan flora, with plant communities of Zosterophyllum baoyangense sp. nov. at the front, and Teyoua antrorsa, Zosterophyllum australianum and an unnamed zosterophyllopsid to the back.

Locality and horizon. Baoyang Section, Baoyang Village, Duyun City, Guizhou Province; the lower part of the Mangshan Group; Early Devonian (Pragian; see electronic supplementary material, figure S1).

Repository. All specimens are deposited at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.

Pu Huang, Jia-Shu Wang, Yi-Ling Wang, Lu Liu, Jing-Yu Zhao and Jin-Zhuang Xue. 2025. The smallest Zosterophyllum plant from the Lower Devonian of South China and the divergent life-history strategies in zosterophyllopsids. Proc. R. Soc. B. 292; 20242337. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.2337

 

 

[Herpetology • 2024] Platyceps gallagheri, P. hajarensis & R. masirae • Three New Cliff Racer Species (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Sultanate of Oman and Zoogeographic Traits of its Herpetofauna

Platyceps hajarensis

Schätti, Tillack, Stutz & Kucharzewski, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.35929/RSZ.0132  

 Abstract 

This study investigates the distribution and geographic variation of East Arabian taxa of the Platyceps rhodorachis complex. Platyceps hajarensis sp. nov. from the Eastern Oman Mountains and their periphery deviates in morphological characters from P. r. rhodorachis (Jan, 1863) distributed beyond the Gulf (Iran) and P. gallagheri sp. nov. of the Ras Musandam area. Cliff racers from Masirah Island and central Al-Wusta (P. masirae sp. nov.) considerably differ vis-à-vis polymorphic P. hajarensis and Dhofar populations with as yet unresolved taxonomic status. Morphologically, the latter are most similar to East Yemen cliff racers. The distribution of the new Omani taxa is compared to geographic patterns observed among the regional terrestrial herpetofauna. Ranges of certain southern Arabian reptiles and the systematics of P. variabilis (Boulenger, 1905) are briefly reviewed.

KEYWORDS: Platyceps spp. nov., Dhofar, Hajar, Masirah, Musandam, Endemism, systematics, P. variabilis

Platyceps gallagheri sp. nov.

Gallagher's Cliff Racer

Diagnosis: Ventrals 243-245, subcaudals ≥141 (n=1, extreme tail tip possibly missing), sum ≥386 (1); a single subocular (presubocular or postsubocular absent); neck transversely patterned; 19-19-13 dsr, first transverse reduction level lateral or paravertebral; 18 maxillary teeth.

Etymology: The species name honours Michael Desmond Gallagher (1921-2014), the collector of the holotype and an unlocated Khasab specimen, for his invaluable impact on the investigation of reptiles in the Sultanate of Oman and the support he offered to this project.

Platyceps hajarensis sp. nov. (♂ holotype, MHNG 2664.71) from Fanjah, Ad-Dakhiliyah, Sultanate of Oman.

Platyceps hajarensis sp. nov.

Hajar Cliff Racer

Diagnosis: Ventrals usually 226-235 (as few as at least 222 along Gulf of Oman), subcaudals 126-140, sum usually 354.5-374 (as few as 349); usually a single subocular (presubocular uncommon, postsubocular absent); barred or banded at least on neck (zipper-shaped or chequered behind), or unmarked throughout; 19-19-13 dsr (19-19-11 in some ♂♂), first transverse reduction level variable; usually 17-18 (16, rarely 19) maxillary teeth.

Etymology: The species' scientific name refers to its distribution centre in the Hajar Range.

General aspect of Platyceps masirae sp. nov. (Masirah Island) in life. Courtesy of Roberto Sindaco.

Platyceps masirae sp. nov.

Masirah Cliff Racer

Diagnosis: Ventrals 203-209, subcaudals 110 (MCZ paratype) and 115-124, sum 317 (ibid.) and 318-333; regular subocular present, presubocular (40% of bilateral counts in insular sample) and postsubocular (50%, ibid.) common; dorsum barred or with two mid-dorsal rows of marks; 19-19-13 or 19-19-11/13 (♂♂) dsr, first reduction lateral; 17-18 maxillary teeth.

Etymology: The species' scientific name alludes to the origin of its type series, Masirah Island (Sultanate of Oman) in the Arabian Sea.

Platyceps forma inquirenda

Diagnosis: Ventrals 215-233, subcaudals 119-135, sum 335-361; usually a single subocular (presubocular uncommon, unilateral postsubocular exceptional); chequered or with transverse pattern on forebody, or unmarked throughout; 19-19-13 dsr (occasionally 19-19-11 in ♂♂) and first reduction usually paravertebral; 15-16 maxillary teeth in Dhofar (up to 17 in Yemen).

Beat Schätti, Frank Tillack, Andrea Stutz and Christoph Kucharzewski. 2024. Three New Cliff Racer Species from the Sultanate of Oman (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubrinae) and Zoogeographic Traits of its Herpetofauna. Revue suisse de Zoologie. 131(2); 451-486. DOI: doi.org/10.35929/RSZ.0132  

[Arachnida • 2025] Amblyomma kappa • A New Species of reptile tick (Acari: Ixodidae) from subtropical East Asia closely related to the Oriental turtle tick (Amblyomma geoemydae) from tropical Southeast Asia

 

Amblyomma kappa Kwak, 

in Kwak, Qiu, Heath, Takano, Takahashi, Kelava, Tamura, Taya & Nakao, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107499 

x.com/MLKWAK

Abstract

The correct delineation of tick species is critical for efforts aimed at safeguarding One Health. Historically, the Asian turtle tick (Amblyomma geoemydae sensu lato) has been regarded as a geographically widespread species across much of Asia. However, based on morphological and phylogenomic data, the subtropical lineage (from Japan, Taiwan, and parts of China) of A. geoemydae is recognised as a new species: Amblyomma kappa sp. n., and all life stages are described. The tropical lineage of A. geoemydae sensu stricto is recharacterized and a differential diagnosis is provided to distinguish the two species. The ecology, host associations, and medical importance of A. kappa are also discussed.

East Asian turtle tick (Amblyomma kappa n. sp.)

Family: Ixodidae Murray, 1877

Genus: Amblyomma Koch, 1844

Amblyomma kappa n. sp. Kwak, 2025

Amblyomma malayanum Keegan and Toshioka, 1957

Amblyomma geoemydae Yamaguti et al., 1971

Amblyomma geoemydae Fujita and Takada, 2007

Type host: Geoemyda japonica Fan 1931 (Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle)

Other hosts: Cuora flavomarginata Gray, 1863, Mauremys japonica Temminck and Schlegel 1832, Mauremys mutica Cantor, 1842, Lycodon semicarinatus Cope, 1860, ...

Differential diagnosis: Although A. kappa and A. geoemydae are closely related, they can be distinguished fairly easily based on a range of key morphological differences. Female: (i) when unengorged, A. kappa (∼4000 μm in length) is approximately half the size of A. geoemydae (∼7500 μm in length) (Fig. 12A); (ii) In A. kappa the scutum is almost as long as wide (width-length ration of ∼1:0.95), while in A. geoemydae the scutum is distinctly wider than long (width-length ration of ∼1:0.75) (Fig. 12B); (iii) a pair of ...

 

Mackenzie L. Kwak, Yongjin Qiu, Allen C.G. Heath, Ai Takano, Mamoru Takahashi, Samuel Kelava, Hisao Tamura, Yurie Taya and Ryo Nakao. 2025. Amblyomma kappa sp. n. (Acari: Ixodidae), A New Species of reptile tick from subtropical East Asia closely related to the Oriental turtle tick (Amblyomma geoemydae) from tropical Southeast Asia. Acta Tropica. 261, 107499. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107499

 x.com/MLKWAK/status/1877278011604480328

[Botany • 2025] Arctostaphylos nipumu (Ericaceae) • Investigating a hybrid mixed population leads to recognizing A New Species of Arctostaphylos

 

Arctostaphylos nipumu  T.Abbo, M.A.Stickrod, A.Krohn, V.T.Parker, M.C.Vasey, W.Waycott & A.Litt., 

in Abbo, Stickrod, Krohn, Parker, Vasey, Waycott et Litt, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.251.139172

Abstract

While investigating the potential for Arctostaphylos species to hybridize in the mixed populations of Point Sal and Burton Mesa in Santa Barbara County, California, we discovered that Arctostaphylos from the Nipomo Mesa (San Luis Obispo County), formerly considered a northern population of A. rudis, are genetically and morphologically distinct. We name this new taxon A. nipumu after the ytt (Northern Chumash language) word for the Nipomo Mesa region. For morphological and molecular analyses, we sampled 54 plants, focusing on A. purissima, A. rudis, and A. crustacea from multiple species and comparative single species populations. Parametric and nonparametric clustering analyses (STRUCTURE and PCA) of ddRADseq data show that Arctostaphylos from the Nipomo Mesa segregate from all other samples in the dataset. In mixed populations A. purissima and A. crustacea samples cluster with samples from other unmixed populations of the same species but A. rudis samples form two distinct clusters. One is composed of the mixed populations in Santa Barbara County, and the other consists of the Nipomo Mesa population. Additionally, the Santa Barbara County A. rudis samples are admixed in STRUCTURE analysis unlike the samples from the Nipomo Mesa. A principal component analysis of eight morphological characters shows that A. rudis individuals from Santa Barbara County tend to be phenotypically variable, occurring in a wide morphological cluster that overlaps with the tight clusters formed by A. purissima, A. crustacea, and Arctostaphylos from the Nipomo Mesa. Based on this evidence we describe the Nipomo Mesapopulation as a new species of Arctostaphylos. Given its limited and fragmented distribution we believe that A. nipumu is of critical conservation concern.

Key words: Arctostaphylos, conservation, ddRADseq, Ericaceae, fragmented population, hybridization, new species, reproductive isolation

Line drawing of Arctostaphylos nipumu.
 Top right (mature main trunk): bark shredding; base lacking burl. Top left (fruiting branch): twigs and petioles with moderately to very dense, short, nonglandular hairs; leaves generally lanceolate to ovate; fruit depressed. Bottom Left (nascent inflorescences): nascent inflorescences short/compressed; bracts overlapping, ± scale-like. Bottom center (flowering branch): inflorescences short, ± same length as nascent inflorescences; flowers urn-shaped.

Diagnostic photographs of Arctostaphylos nipumu (Nipomo Mesa, San Luis Obispo County, CA) and A. rudis (Burton Mesa, Santa Barbara County, CA)
A A. nipumu in situ, maritime chaparral habitat B depressed fruit of A. nipumu C nascent inflorescence, with leaf-like bracts proximally grading to scale-like bracts distally D A. nipumu, lacking a burl at the base of the stem  F–H gray to reddish-gray, thinly shredding bark of A. nipumu
E A. rudis with a pronounced burl at the base of the stem I–K pronouncedly red to reddish-gray, coarsely and variably shredding bark of A. rudis.

 Arctostaphylos nipumu T.Abbo, M.A.Stickrod, A.Krohn, V.T.Parker, M.C.Vasey, W.Waycott & A.Litt., sp. nov.

Description: Shrub up to 2, 3 (5) m ht. and < 10 m width; often layering, rooting when branches contact soil; burl 0 but with branchlets sprouting infrequently on stems; bark (red tinged) gray and shredding, from large stems up to new growth; twigs and petioles with moderately to very dense, short, nonglandular hairs; leaves isofacial (with stomata on both surfaces), green, shiny, generally lanceolate to ovate (elliptic to rounded with mucronate tip); blade 1.4–3.2 cm length, 0.9–1.9 cm width; petiole 0.4–0.8 cm; inflorescence a raceme or few-branched panicle (generally < 5-branched), nascent and mature inflorescences of similar length and thickness, 0.5 to 1.1 cm, and ca. 1 mm; bracts ± scale-like, often grading to ± leaf-like proximally, generally green, photosynthetic in summer; flowers 5-merous, urn-shaped, white to pinkish-white; fruit a multi-seeded drupe, generally reddish-orange, depressed axially; mesocarp mealy; endocarp generally rough, fused or separating into a variable number of nutlets.

Etymology: Based on discussions with the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini (Northern Chumash Tribe), we selected the name Arctostaphylos nipumu because nipumu is the ytt (Northern Chumash language) word for the Nipomo Mesa region. The word nipumu is literally translated to English as “of the big house”, so we treat the epithet nipumu as a noun in apposition; ergo, Arctostaphylos nipumu is translated as “Arctostaphylos of the big house”. We recommend that A. nipumu be referred to by the common name nipumu manzanita or Nipomo Mesa manzanita; the latter regional name, Nipomo Mesa, is more well known in current usage, but the word Nipomo is an inferior Spanish transliteration of the word nipumu.

 Tito Abbo, Morgan A. Stickrod, Alexander Krohn, V. Thomas Parker, Michael C. Vasey, William Waycott and Amy Litt. 2025. Investigating a hybrid mixed population leads to recognizing A New Species of Arctostaphylos (Ericaceae). PhytoKeys. 251: 119-142. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.251.139172

[Botany • 2025] Primulina yangmingshanensis (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Hunan Province, China

 

 Primulina yangmingshanensis F.Wen & K.Liu, 

in Liu, Mou, Lv, Ge et Wen, 2025.  

陽明山報春苣苔  ||  taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2049  

Abstract

Primulina yangmingshanensis F.Wen & K.Liu, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Hunan, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to P. latinervis (W.T.Wang) Mich.Möller & A.Weber, P. roseoalba (W.T.Wang) Mich.Möller & A.Weber and P. pseudoroseoalba Jian Li, F.Wen & L.J.Yan, but this novel taxon can be effectively distinguished from three morphologically convergent species on the basis of several shared diagnostic characters. Photographs and descriptions of the new species are provided below. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, P. yangmingshanensis is preliminarily assessed as Vulnerable (VU D1+2).

Keyword: Flora of Hunan, Limestone flora, Primulina latinervis, Primulina roseoalba, Primulina pseudoroseoalba

Photographs of Primulina yangmingshanensis F.Wen & K.Liu sp. nov.
 A. Natural habitat. B. Habit. C. The cyme and frontal view of corolla. D. The lateral view of cyme, bract, corollas and young capsules. E. The abaxial (below) and adaxial (upper) view of the corolla. F. The top view of the corolla

 (A, E-K photographed by Fang Wen; B-D, L photographed by Kun Liu).

Primulina yangmingshanensis F.Wen & K.Liu
A. Habit. B. Abaxial (left) and adaxial (right) surfaces of bracts. C. Abaxial surface of secondary bracteoles. D. The abaxial surfaces of tertiary bracteoles. E. The frontal view of corolla. F. The lateral view of corolla. G. Opened corolla. H. Pistil with calyx segments. I. Abaxial surface of calyx lobes; J. Stigma; K.Mature capsule

(Drawing by Di Hu).

Primulina yangmingshanensis F.Wen & K.Liu, sp. nov. 

陽明山報春苣苔  

Diagnosis: Primulina yangmingshanensis superficially resembles P. latinervis, P. roseoalba and P. pseudoroseoalba in leaf blade shape. However, it clearly differs from them by its bigger bracts ovate to orbicularovate in size 2.5–5.0 × 2.0–3.5 cm. Additionally, it differs from P. latinervis by pedicel densely pubescent and glandular pubescent (vs. puberulent), anthers densely pubescent (vs. glabrous), pistil densely glandular pubescent and puberulent (vs. puberulent); from P. roseoalba by peduncle and ...

Etymology: The specific epithet of this new species, "yangmingshanensis", is derived from the type locality where this species is found. The type locality is situated in the limestone areas around the foothills of Yangming Mountain, a renowned mountain in Hunan. Therefore, the specific epithet "yangmingshanensis" originates from "Yangming Mountain."

Kun Liu, Cun Mou, Hao Lv, Yu-Zhen Ge and Fang Wen. 2025. Primulina yangmingshanensis (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from Hunan Province, China. Taiwania. 70(1); 75-80. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.75 https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2049  

[Herpetology • 2025] Leptobrachella yongshunensis • A New leaf litter toad of Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from Hunan, China

 

Leptobrachella yongshunensis Huang, Wu, Jiang & Zhang, 

in J. Huang, F.-P. Zhang, Jiang, Tian, X.-L. Huang, Xu, Liu, Xin-Yu Li, Y.-X. Zhang et Wu, 2025.  

永顺掌突蟾 | Yongshun leaf-litter toad  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.135586

Abstract

A new leaf litter toad, Leptobrachella yongshunensis sp. nov., is described on the basis of morphological, acoustic, and molecular data in this study. The new species was distributed in Xiaoxi National Nature Reserve, Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, China. Phylogenetical analysis revealed that the new species is sister species of L. wulingensis (p-distance 0.019 in 16s rRNA gene, p-distance 0.073 in COI gene). The duration of advertisement call was 194.2 ± 6.7 ms, the mean dominant frequency of the first note was 3.885 ± 0.066 kHz, and the mean dominant frequency of the second note was 3.914 ± 0.052 kHz. The new species can be distinguished from its congers by the following morphological characters: snout-vent length (SVL) 27.2–28.9 in males, SVL 26.2–31.6 in females; black spots on flanks; toes webbing rudimentarily; narrow fringes on toes; creamy white ventral body with indistinct black speckling at margins; dorsal body with sparse large warts, dense little wart grains, and longitudinal ridges; head width greater than head length; tibiotarsal articulation reaching to anterior edge of the eye; brick-red color in the dorsal surface; upper parts of iris bright coppery in life. We still supplemented the molecular data of the COI gene of L. wulingensis for further research. The discovery of the new species not only enhances the species diversity of the Wuling Mountains, but also suggests the hidden species diversity in the area.

Key Words: Character, diversity, Leptobrachella, sister taxon

The holotype specimen (JSUHJ2024005) of Leptobrachella yongshunensis sp. nov. in habitat.

Photo by Wan-Sheng Jiang.

 Leptobrachella yongshunensis Huang, Wu, Jiang & Zhang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: (Table 2) Leptobrachella yongshunensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congers by the following characters: SVL 27.2–28.9 mm in males, 26.2–31.6 mm in females; black spots on flanks; toes webbing rudimentary; narrow fringes on toes; creamy white ventral body with indistinct black speckling at margins; dorsal body with sparse large warts, dense little wart grains, and longitudinal ridges; head width greater than the head length; tibiotarsal articulation reaching to the anterior edge of the eye; brick-red color in the dorsal surface; upper parts of iris bright coppery in life.

Etymology: The specific epithet, yongshunensis, is derived from the distribution of this species, Yongshun County, Hunan Province, China. The suggested common name is “永顺掌突蟾 (pinyin: yǒnɡ shùn zhǎnɡ tū chán)” in Chinese and “Yongshun leaf-litter toad” in English.

Habitat of Leptobrachella yongshunensis sp. nov. (JSUHJ2024001, JSUHJ2024002, JSUHJ2024003), Hunan Xiaoxi National Nature Reserve, Yongshun County, Hunan Province, China.
A. habit; B. ecological photo of specimen JSUHJ2024003.

 Photos by Jie Huang.

 Jie Huang, Fang-Peng Zhang, Wan-Sheng Jiang, Yong-Xiang Tian, Xing-Long Huang, Ya-Lan Xu, Jing Liu, Xin-Yu Li, You-Xiang Zhang and Tao Wu. 2025. Description of A New leaf litter toad of Leptobrachella (Anura, Megophryidae) from Hunan, China.  Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(1): 103-117. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.135586